Summary: This article talked about the fiscal policy. The health-care was one of the big issues that affected our fiscal future. We were going to reform our health-care system. Also, we needed to undertake comprehensive health-care reform, so it improved efficiency and increases value.
Critical Analysis: The health-care costs had been a big issue of our fiscal policy. The Medicare and Social Security trustees' reports showed that the health cost would be a problem for the long-term entitlement. For example, if the health-care costs kept growing at the same rate over the next four decades, the Medicare and Medicaid would be increase from 5% of GDP today to 20% by 2050. From 5% to 20%, it would be a big jump. Also, there were many baby bomber still benefited by the government. The baby bomber is the larger than expected generation in United States born shortly after World War II. As they were getting old, they started to retire. They also got the Medicare from the government. It might be a big problem after twenty years. I was afraid that it might not have enough health-care’s budgets for the next generation. However, the government might have to cut the budgets from health-care without reducing the quality. The administration had a plan that took four key steps. Those four steps: 1) health information technology, because we can't improve what we don't measure; 2) more research into what works and what doesn't, so doctors don't recommend treatments that don't improve health; 3) prevention and wellness, so that people do the things that keep them healthy and avoid costs associated with health risks such as smoking and obesity; and 4) changes in financial incentives for providers so that they are incentivized rather than penalized for delivering high-quality care. I thought this plan might help the hospital to improve efficiently. Like the government would pay hospitals